There is plenty at stake for both sides in the Monday night game in the NFL as Philadelphia Eagles play host to Seattle Seahawks at Lincoln Financial Field.
The Seahawks actually climbed to the top of the ultra-competitive NFC West after Los Angeles Rams lost to divisional rivals San Francisco 49ers, while Arizona Cardinals were beaten in New England
Monday’s game offers the visitors the chance to take control of the division, while maintaining their pursuit of New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers for top seeding in the NFC Conference play-offs.
The Eagles may be down in third place in the worst division in the NFL, the NFC East, but a victory over Pete Carroll’s men would see them rise to the summit and put them in control of their own play-off destiny.
So what to expect? The odds tell their own story – Seattle may be on the road but they are strong favourites at 20/59 to improve their record to 8-3, while home advantage is appearing to count for little with the Eagles at 12/5 on the money line.
Eagles Offence Hurts Under Wentz
Recent history may be playing its part in the prices with the Seahawks having won the last six meetings between the two sides and eight of the last nine, including both matches last season one of which came in the post-season.
Both meetings in 2019 were in Philadelphia and both ended in a 17-9 win for the Seahawks, making it hard to argue with their favouritism this time around.
The Seahawks may be heavily reliant on their quarter-back Russell Wilson, particularly given their frailty without the ball, but he is one of the very best in the NFL. Meanwhile, the Eagles have had to contend with one of the worst, and it may not be too long before Carson Wentz has to make way for second-round draft pick Jalen Hurts.
Wentz has been a turnover machine, and not in a good way, as he has thrown a league-leading 14 interceptions – which is as many passing touchdowns as he has managed – while he has also fumbled on 10 occasions, and there has been no reason to suggest he will click against the Seahawks.
Of course, he has not been helped by his offensive line which has allowed an NFL-high of 40 sacks but he needs to take better care of the football with a paltry QB Rating of just 48.9 ranking him fifth worst in that particular star.
Putting that into context, Wilson has thrown ten interceptions and has been sacked an NFL second-worst 33 times, but the Seattle signal-caller still has a QB Rating of 74.2 to rank eighth in the NFL.
Seahawks D Making Improvements
Seattle’s defence has been terrible this season up to a point, but they have shown signs of improvement in recent matches, particularly since the acquisition of Carlos Dunlap from Cincinnati in October.
The 31-year-old Defensive End has enjoyed three sacks in as many games, including a game clincher against the Cardinals in week 11, and he will be relishing the prospect of a weak Eagles offensive line.
The return of cornerback Shaquill Griffin can only benefit a secondary that has so far struggled in the main, allowing an NFL high of 3437 yards, but it remains difficult to see them being torched by an abysmal Wentz.
Carroll’s side have been good against the run though, third best in the league, so the Eagles may struggle to relieve the pressure on Wentz using the ground game, and it is nigh on impossible to see anything other than a road win.
The Eagles defence has outshone their offensive team-mates by a considerable distance but with Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf as good as any options in the league, as well as an improving ground attack, Wilson can help his side cover the -6.5 handicap at 25/27.
*All odds correct at time of writing